round bottom bowl, ceramic (terra cotta), Costa Rican (Nicoya-Guanacaste), 1000-1500AD; acquired in Managua, Nicaragua by donor before 1959; owl faces in banded design; red and gray pigments on beige ground

Bowl, 11th-16th century

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The large, frontal, round eyes painted on this bowl represent the eyes of an owl. In the Nicoya-Guanacaste tradition, the owl held special ties to the Unknown, and was associated with the mysterious and sacred aspects of the afterlife. Owls, with their special nighttime vision, together with their ability to navigate long cavernous passageways, were seen as gifted creatures. The ancient Native cultures likened the owl's journey to the human journey into the afterlife, except that the owl was able to return. Because of this, owl imagery often signifies the role of spiritual messenger.

Details
Title
Bowl
Role
Artist
Accession Number
85.127.1
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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round bottom bowl, ceramic (terra cotta), Costa Rican (Nicoya-Guanacaste), 1000-1500AD; acquired in Managua, Nicaragua by donor before 1959; owl faces in banded design; red and gray pigments on beige ground